Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission ,LASIEC, has assured stakeholders of its readiness to conduct credible councillorship by-elections in the state.
The Commission gave the assurance during a meeting with key stakeholders yesterday in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria ,NAN, reports that the by-elections became necessary following death of two newly- elected councillors.
NAN reports that the deceased councillors were those of Ward C and Ward H in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government and Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area ,LCDA, respectively.
They died days after the July 12 Local Government elections.
Speaking at the forum, LASIEC Chairman, retired Justice Bola Okikiolu-Ighile, said that the commission would not take the by-elections for granted.
Commending stakeholders for consistent support and collaboration, Okikiolu-Ighile, who was represented by a LASIEC Electoral Commissioner, Mr Samson Ajibade, said the commission was committed to its mandate of conducting free, fair and credible elections.
She said that the commission received with profound shock and sadness the news of the passing of the two recently sworn-in Councillors- Mrs Oluwakemi Sabiu of Ibeju-Lekki LG and Mrs Zaynab Shotayo of Odi-Olowo-Ojuwoye LCDA.
“The demise of these two elected councillors has created vacancies that must, in line with the LASIEC Laws and democratic principles, be duly filled.
“Democracy thrives on representation, and the people of the affected wards deserve the opportunity to once again elect their representatives.
“LASIEC,, in the discharge of its constitutional mandate, has set in motion the processes that will culminate in credible, free and fair by- elections.
“We are committed to ensuring that the will of the people in the affected wards is reflected through a transparent process that guarantee inclusiveness, accountability and legitimacy”, Okikiolu-Ighile said.
According to her , engagement of stakeholders is a critical part of the electoral process.
She said that political parties, security agencies, civil society organisations, media, traditional rulers, religious leaders and electorate all played indispensable roles in building trust and confidence in election.
“It is only through your cooperation, vigilance, and commitment to due process that the by-elections can be successful.
“As a commission, we shall continue to sustain a strong collaboration with all the key stakeholders and other interest groups, to create a level-playing ground and equal access for all the players in the political landscape.
“We shall uphold the confidence of the people to ensure that the commission delivers on its statutory mandate with openness and transparency”, she said.
The chairman said that the by-elections presented another opportunity for LASIEC to strengthen democracy at the grassroots.
“It is a test of our collective resolve to ensure that democracy is not only sustained but also deepened in Lagos State.
“The Commission shall provide a level playing field for all political parties and contestants and shall ensure the highest standard of transparency and credibility of the entire process.
“We shall work hand-in-hand with the security agencies to guarantee peace, before, during the after the elections”, Okikiolu-Ighile said.
The LASIEC boss appealed to the electorate oin affected wards to turnout en masse to exercise their civic duty once the notice of the election day is fixed.
She said that the commission would pick the election day after the tribunal had given its pronouncement on matters before it.
Speaking, Chief Abiola Adeyemi, the State Chairman of Action Peoples Party ,APP, and Secretary, Inter-Party Advisory Council ,IPAC, Lagos State, said that LASIEC needed to do more work to enhance credibility of council elections.
Speaking with NAN at the forum, Mr Dele Oladeji, State Chairman of Accord Party, urged LASIEC to restore confidence in grassroots democracy through election credibility.
Oladeji claimed that winners were declared in July 12 Local Government elections without declared results.
“We didn’t go to the tribunal because we do not even have the results of the election to contest at the tribunal.
“However, we are in the court with LASIEC at the Lagos State High Court but the court has not called that case for over a month now due to politics.
“However, as a party, we are going to step up our work and make sure the case is heard in the courts”, he said.
Oladeji said that Accord would not participate in the by-elections.
NAN reports that the stakeholders’ meeting was attended by leaders of political parties, traditional rulers, LASIEC commissioners, among others.
